The Astonishing Effects of Smoking and Alcohol on the Brain

Alcohol and tobacco consumption can result a variety of long- and short-term health issues. However, the most extreme risks lie in the potential for permanent neurological damage. In this entry we will discuss the toll of tobacco and alcohol on the human brain.

Nervous System

The chemicals found in tobacco products may cause white blood cells to attack healthy cells, resulting in the potential for disorders and neurological issues down the road.

State of Mind

Studies have found smoking to result in a decline in cognitive function 5x the rate of non-smokers. Diminished cognitive functions may eventually lead to mental deficiencies and dementia in later life.

Brain Damage

Prolonged and excess alcohol intake may lead to brain damage. As an example, numerous alcoholics eventually develop Wernicke—Korsakoff syndrome, causing an array of debilitating symptoms, including memory issues, confusion, and paralysis of the nerves responsible for eye movement.

Memories

Alcohol’s effect on the brain can be seen after only a drink or two. With excessive intake over a long enough use period, drinkers will experience increased memory deficiency.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy places the fetus at risk for developmental issues both early and later in life. Of these issues, perhaps the most difficult to stomach is fetal alcohol syndrome; a condition where children are born with fewer brain cells and smaller brains.

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Surprise! Why Alcohol And Tylenol Just Don’t Mix

Mixing even light alcohol consumption with Tylenol can do more harm than any intended good, say researchers.

A new preliminary study shows that using a small to moderate amount of alcohol alongside the recommended Tylenol do

Courtesy of: www.newsinferno.com

sage can result in a 123% increased risk of kidney disease.

“Most people take this medication without any input from pharmacists or physicians, and that’s where the public-health concern is,” said researcher Harrison Ndetan. “People buy acetaminophen over the counter, and they also are casual alcohol users, and they don’t know that there is a harmful interaction.”

Alcohol, Acetaminophen Use And Liver, Kidney Disease

Chronic alcohol abuse and chronic acetaminophen use have each been tied to liver and kidney disease separately.

“What has not been well-studied until now is the link between some regular alcohol use and regular acetaminophen use and increasing your risk of kidney disease above the risk of either of those used separately,” said Dr. Martin Zand, medical director of the pancreas and kidney transplant programs at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York.

Results From Large Tylenol, Alcohol Use Study

During the study, data was analyzed from over 10,000 participants in the ’03-’04 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Those surveyed were asked questions regarding acetaminophen use, alcohol consumption and health issues.

The research concluded that neither light to moderate drinking nor normal acetaminophen use separatelyposed any viable threat to kidney health.

However, roughly half of those who combined alcohol and acetaminophen reported kidney dysfunction.

It is not currently known whether similar interactions will occur with other types of painkillers.